Beijing - Jeremy Wariner beat Usain Bolt for the Jogger of The Day award at the Beijing Olympics on Monday as they strolled into the next round of the 400 metres and 200 metres races, respectively.

The Jamaican 100m gold medallist Bolt and the American 400m world and Olympic champion were running their heats in a big-name morning session which was due to culminate later in the first appearance of Chinese icon, 110m hurdler Liu Xiang.

But Liu's coach Sun Haiping issued a disaster warning, saying on Liu's website that the world and Olympic champion Liu was nursing "an inflamed Achilles tendon" and telling the China Daily that he was "worried about the semi-finals and final."

The atmosphere in the sun-flooded Birds Nest was electric, but Wariner at least insisted that not everyone had come for Liu alone.

"I have a big fan base in Asia. I am impressed with the fans," the Texan said.

Wariner was given the uncomfortable lane nine but did not have to run hard beyond the 350m mark, shutting down early as he checked for rivals and absorbed the scenery with a run of 45.23 seconds.

"I felt comfortable and easy," said Wariner

Compatriot LaShawn Merritt, who has beaten Wariner twice this season, clocked 44.96 in his Olympic debut while Christopher Brown of the Bahamas led the way into the semis with 44.79 seconds.

"I ran a smart and easy race. I am ready. I finally got to experience the Games," said Merritt. "It will take guts, heart and power to medal."

Bolt had plenty of power as he reached a new 100m dimension with a jaw-dropping world record run of 9.69 seconds on Saturday in which he eased up with some 20m to go.

The 200m are his preferred distance and again Bolt was able to take things easy in the morning heats, shutting down after 150m en route to the next round in 20.64 seconds. But unlike Wariner, he didn't win his heat as Trinidad's Rondell Surrillo beat him by 0.06 seconds.

Bolt is yet to run hard over a full race in Beijing.

The other morning events were women's hammer and men's triple jump qualifying.

The medal events in Monday's evening session are the women's 800m, discus and pole vault, as well as the men's 400m hurdles, 3,000m steeplechase and long jump. (dpa)